4 Palestinians Slain in West Bank

Israeli troops killed three Palestinians in the West Bank today, Israeli military sources said. The sources said two were shot after firing on troops while trying to flee arrest near Tulkarm. A third who escaped was killed later.

On Thursday, troops killed an unarmed Palestinian, Alaa Khamtouni, who was among a group that entered an Israeli army base they thought had been dismantled near some abandoned settlements. Israeli Col. Shmulik Kalmi said soldiers fired in the air, but the group did not halt. Fearing a bombing, the soldiers aimed at the man’s legs, but he bent down and was hit in the shoulder, Kalmi said.